Collaborating DownUnder 2009

Collaborative Professionals (NSW) Inc (CPNSW) takes great pleasure in hosting the first collaborative practice conference in the southern hemisphere. The conference "Collaborating DownUnder" will be of interest and benefit to:-

lawyers,

accountants,

financial advisors,

mediators,

family dispute resolution practitioners

members of counselling and mental heath professionals,

as well as other professional advisors who aspire to building a high performance culture into collaborative interdisciplinary teams.

Collaborative Law was founded in 1990 by Stu Webb, Minneapolis family lawyer, to provide a better way for families to make the post separation transition from living in one household to parents living apart. Collaborative interdisciplinary practice followed close behind, thanks to years of research and development by Peggy Thompson, Nancy Ross and Rodney Nurse of out of Court social science services to post separation families. The international Academy of Collaborative Professionals website now lists practice groups in 19 countries.1.

At a recent Dealers' Group conference 2. in Melbourne Chair, commercial and estates lawyer and academic Michael Perkins said: "...families are understandably focused on not only how they will cope with the current financial crisis but also how this stress will impact on their aspirations for endurance of the family its members their values and their capital."3.

"Collaborating Downunder" aims to focus on, education, advice, and support families need to sustain the social and financial fabric of the family, whether or not the families are in crisis.